Signature Carrot Cake and Handcrafted Cashew Ice Cream from local micro-creamery Lula’s Sweet Apothecary in three different flavors.

Chocolate Mousse Cake with Whipped Cream and Berry sauce

Every single dish was delicious, flavorful, inventive and fresh. Desserts were so huge that even four of us had trouble finishing everything we ordered. This is the kind of food that makes carnivores forget about their meat. You just simply won't miss it.

"We must each lead a way of life with self-awareness and compassion, to do as much as we can. Then, whatever happens we will have no regrets." Dalai Lama

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

It's that time of the year again and this year flew by so fast that Christmas just hit me in the face, yet again. We just got our Christmas shopping done yesterday (just few little things for our nieces and nephew) and grocery shopping as well (thank god Trader Joe's was practically empty when we got there in the afternoon). So now we can just relax and enjoy the holidays. Not going back to work before next year. Much needed time off from there...

Thursday, December 20, 2012

I'm excited to announce that I'm part of a new project that brings inspiration for women in the form of a vlog (in Finnish). KiitosNamaste will launch 1.1.2013 and will feature people, beauty, wellness, style, restaurants, interviews, food and drinks, NYC and maybe even some travel. Like us on Facebook to follow updates. We are open for story ideas so if there's something you are curious about and would like us to cover, send an email, Facebook message or leave a comment! Hope to se you there!

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Some of you might've already figured out that I love ponchos (my grey one here, black one here. I also have colorful one, but that has not been photographed just yet). So no surprise that I was on the hunt for a poncho while in New Mexico. I found this one from a street vendor in Santa Fe. The best part is that it's two-in-one since it is reversible. Genius! I wish all clothes were reversible so that I would need only half the closet space.

I'm also happy to announce that I have not mailed any Christmas cards, bought any gifts or done anything else for the sake of the approaching holiday time. Although I did book a five night vacation somewhere cold and new. Exciting! Anybody else feeling indifferent about the holidays? I guess when I have kids I'll be active about this stuff, but right now I just couldn't care less. Too bad it's husband's favorite time of the year and he tends to make a big fuss about it...

Have a lovely week!

"Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice." Dave Barry

Sunday, December 9, 2012

This was the first year I got invited to the Finnish Consulate's Independence Day reception. It was short and sweet (my favorites were the cocktail bite sized Karelian pies), the view was great and we made some new friends along the way.

Finland's Independence Day is held on December 6th to celebrate Finland's declaration of independence from Soviet Russia. The movement for Finland's Independence started after the revolutions in Russia, caused by the disturbances from the defeats of the First World War. This gave an opportunity for Finland to withdraw from Russia. After several disagreements between the non-socialists and the social-democrats about the matter of who should have the power in Finland, the Senate of Finland, led by Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, finally gave on December 4th 1917 a Declaration of Independence which was adopted by the parliament two days later. (wikipedia)

And the some good old Finn humor. You know you have been in Finland too long, when...

- You rummage through your plastic bag collection to see which ones you should keep to take to the store and which can be sacrificed to garbage.

- When a stranger on the street smiles at you:

a. you assume he is drunk

b. he is insane

c. he's an American

- Silence is fun.

- You associate pea soup with Thursday.

- Your idea of unforgivable behaviour now includes walking across the street when the light is red and there is no walk symbol, even though there are no cars in sight.

- Your old habit of being "Fashionably late" is no longer acceptable. You are always on time.

- You just love Jaffa.

- You've come to expect Sunday morning sidewalk vomit dodging.

- You know that "Gents" is another term for sidewalk.

- You know that more than four channels means cable.

- When you're hungry you can peel a boiled potato like lightning. - You accept that 80°C in a sauna is chilly, but 20°C outside is freaking hot. Source

Monday, December 3, 2012

I like our home to smell good hence burning tons of incense. You can make your own spray air-freshener using three simple ingredients. It’s a natural way to remove household odors, and the spray works well in the bathroom, on most fabrics and carpets, even in shoes.

This combination is strong enough to work without being too strong. Simply mix in a spray bottle and spray around for instant freshness. I keep a bottle in our guest bath and it works miracles there too. I used the lemongrass and orange this time and once I run out, I'll try the peppermint. The mix will keep well for at least a month. You can buy the oils here.

Have an exciting week! I'll start mine with a job interview, then there's an independence day celebration (Finland) as well as some ballet with Nutcrackers later in the week!

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake." Francis Bacon Sr.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Rose Quartz is a great stone for attracting love. It promotes self-loving and heals emotional wounds as well as promoting peace, forgiveness, and nurturing. This specific one has been programmed by a healer.

I loooove incense and it burns in our house all the time. Our favorites are frankincense & myrrh and these Indian temple scented ones. My incense goes together with my perfumes as you may see below.

New scent I just bought because I was in the mood for something with vanilla. Together with amber this is the perfect pair.

There's no more sandalwood, but I refilled the bottle with frankincense and myrrh oils that I get from the street vendors in the Village. So exotic.

I pour few drops of these fragrance oils to a ceramic diffuser and our guest bath always smells quite pleasant. Body Shop usually has great sale on these after the holidays and that's when I stock up.